Volunteering Queensland is proud to share that our innovative Community Impact Program has received international recognition, earning one of the top honours in corporate social responsibility.
Christina Sharpe, our Community Partnerships Manager, has been awarded the Outstanding Intrapreneur — Corporate Social Responsibility Award in the 2025 Global Intrapreneur Institute Outstanding Intrapreneur Awards. This achievement celebrates not just Christina’s leadership, but the collective vision behind a program designed to make meaningful community impact accessible to all workplaces and organisations.
Reimagining Corporate Volunteering
The Community Impact Program was redesigned following a pilot partnership with Rio Tinto and BHP BMA. This collaboration played a critical role in reshaping how corporate volunteering can genuinely support grassroots community organisations.
Instead of one-off activities, the program now emphasises partnering with purpose, creating volunteering experiences that meet real community needs and strengthen relationships between workplaces and Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs).
Empowering Grassroots Community Organisations
One of the program’s biggest strengths is its ability to support VIOs of all sizes, especially those smaller grassroots organisations that previously lacked the capacity to host corporate volunteer groups.
Through co-design and tailored training, these organisations can build opportunities that are relevant, well-organised, and aligned to their needs. This approach not only boosts their capacity but empowers them to meaningfully engage with corporate partners on their own terms.
Creating Accessible Pathways for Workplaces
For workplaces, the Community Impact Program offers a structured, accessible pathway to engage their teams in volunteering. It opens the door to a wider range of community organisations, allowing staff to participate in work that is purposeful, collaborative, and deeply rewarding.
The focus on long-term, values-driven partnerships ensures corporate support is sustainable, ethical, and genuinely impactful for the communities it touches.
Recognised on the Global Stage
Dr Irena Yashin-Shaw, Founder and CEO of the Global Intrapreneurs Institute, praised Christina’s leadership and the program’s innovation, describing it as a model that “has transformed how corporate teams engage with community organisations” and positioned Volunteering Queensland as “a leader in purpose-driven innovation.”
We are incredibly proud of Christina, our partners, and the many organisations and volunteers who have contributed to this program’s success. Together, we are building a future where corporate volunteering truly strengthens Queensland communities.
Find out more about our Community Impact Program